Later in the program, Thompson returned to the stage as a speaker to discuss the founding of Play On, Philly! Thompson began by describing his own childhood, where his love of music helped him avoid the potential pitfalls of his low-income neighborhood. Later, inspired by his mentor Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu, the founder of El Sistema, Thompson founded Play On, Philly! to give other low-income and at-risk children an opportunity to study music and stay off the streets.

“We all have responsibility of providing the best instruments for the poorest kids, and the best teachers for the most vulnerable kids, and best musical opportunities for the most marginalized kids,” he said during his presentation.